The Bibliotheca Classica (Reading, November, 1788), or Classical Dictionary containing a full Account of all the Proper Names mentioned in Ancient Authors, is the best-known work of John Lemprière, an English classical scholar. Edited by various later scholars, the dictionary long remained a readable if not absolutely trustworthy reference book in mythology and classical history. Lemprière wished "to give the most accurate and satisfactory account of all the proper names which occur in reading the Classics, and by a judicious collection of anecdotes and historical facts to draw a picture of ancient times, not less instructive than entertaining."[1]
Frontispiece to the 1815 edition
The dictionary has been a handbook for teachers, journalists, dramatists and poets for almost 200 years and John Keats is said to have known the book almost by heart.[2] "Far from being just an ordinary dictionary, however, Lemprière's encyclopedic work is full of incidental details and stories which bring the mythical past to life." It is also assumed that the great scholar Richard Valpy helped Lemprière with the dictionary.[2]
In 1794 a Latin-language Bibliotheca Classica was published anonymously in Deventer in Holland. The introduction criticised Lemprière's work, but the book itself largely consisted of a translation of Lemprière, even to the extent of incorporating errors that had been corrected in the 1792 edition.[4]
Bibliotheca Classica or Classical Dictionary, Reading, 1788.
Bibliotheca Classica or a Classical Dictionary.....The Second Edition greatly enlarged, London, for T. Cadell, 1792.
Bibliotheca Classica or Classical Dictionary, 3rd Edition, London, for T Cadell et al, 1797 (Later editions: 1815, 1818, 1828 - 15th edition, printed by A[ndrew] & R[obert] Spottiswoode, New-Street-Square, 1832, 1838, 1843, 1888).
Bibliotheca Classica or Classical Dictionary, New York, 1833.
Bibliotheca Classica or Classical Dictionary, W.E. Dean, New York, 1836. Revised and Corrected, and Divided, under Separate Heads, into Three Parts: Part I. Geography, Topography, etc. Part II. History, Antiquities, etc. Part III. Mythology by Lorenzo L. Da Ponte and John D. Ogilby. 10th American Edition. Greatly Enlarged in the Historical Department, by Lorenzo L. Da Ponte.
Bibliotheca Classica or Classical Dictionary, 10th American Edition, W.E. Dean, New York, 1839. Greatly Enlarged in the Historical Department by Lorenzo L. Da Ponte and John D. Ogilby.
Lemprière, and specifically the writing of his dictionary, formed the basis for the novel Lemprière's Dictionary by Lawrence Norfolk.
In The Gaudy by J.I.M. Stewart there is a character called Lemprière. The narrator is familiar with the name because of Keats' knowledge of the dictionary.
bibliotheca, classica, reading, november, 1788, classical, dictionary, containing, full, account, proper, names, mentioned, ancient, authors, best, known, work, john, lemprière, english, classical, scholar, edited, various, later, scholars, dictionary, long, r. The Bibliotheca Classica Reading November 1788 or Classical Dictionary containing a full Account of all the Proper Names mentioned in Ancient Authors is the best known work of John Lempriere an English classical scholar Edited by various later scholars the dictionary long remained a readable if not absolutely trustworthy reference book in mythology and classical history Lempriere wished to give the most accurate and satisfactory account of all the proper names which occur in reading the Classics and by a judicious collection of anecdotes and historical facts to draw a picture of ancient times not less instructive than entertaining 1 Frontispiece to the 1815 editionThe dictionary has been a handbook for teachers journalists dramatists and poets for almost 200 years and John Keats is said to have known the book almost by heart 2 Far from being just an ordinary dictionary however Lempriere s encyclopedic work is full of incidental details and stories which bring the mythical past to life It is also assumed that the great scholar Richard Valpy helped Lempriere with the dictionary 2 Many ships of the Royal Navy were named from Greek and Roman mythology during the Napoleonic Wars Lord Sandwich the First Lord of the Admiralty had a copy of this book on his desk and simply plucked a name from within 3 For example HMS Bellerophon HMS Charon HMS Orion HMS Leander HMS Minotaur HMS Pegasus HMS Phaeton HMS Theseus HMS Venus In 1794 a Latin language Bibliotheca Classica was published anonymously in Deventer in Holland The introduction criticised Lempriere s work but the book itself largely consisted of a translation of Lempriere even to the extent of incorporating errors that had been corrected in the 1792 edition 4 Contents 1 Editions 2 In fiction 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksEditions editBibliotheca Classica or Classical Dictionary Reading 1788 Bibliotheca Classica or a Classical Dictionary The Second Edition greatly enlarged London for T Cadell 1792 Bibliotheca Classica or Classical Dictionary 3rd Edition London for T Cadell et al 1797 Later editions 1815 1818 1828 15th edition printed by A ndrew amp R obert Spottiswoode New Street Square 1832 1838 1843 1888 Bibliotheca Classica or Classical Dictionary New York 1833 Bibliotheca Classica or Classical Dictionary W E Dean New York 1836 Revised and Corrected and Divided under Separate Heads into Three Parts Part I Geography Topography etc Part II History Antiquities etc Part III Mythology by Lorenzo L Da Ponte and John D Ogilby 10th American Edition Greatly Enlarged in the Historical Department by Lorenzo L Da Ponte Bibliotheca Classica or Classical Dictionary 10th American Edition W E Dean New York 1839 Greatly Enlarged in the Historical Department by Lorenzo L Da Ponte and John D Ogilby Lempriere s Classical Dictionary Facsimile London Bracken Books 1984 Lempriere s Classical Dictionary Senate Books 1994 In fiction editLempriere and specifically the writing of his dictionary formed the basis for the novel Lempriere s Dictionary by Lawrence Norfolk In The Gaudy by J I M Stewart there is a character called Lempriere The narrator is familiar with the name because of Keats knowledge of the dictionary See also editDictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities by William SmithReferences edit Lempriere John 1788 Bibliotheca Classica Reading a b Lempriere John 1984 Bibliotheca Classica Facsimile Edition of 1865 ed London Bracken Bros David Cordingly 2003 The Billy Ruffian The Bellerophon and the Downfall of Napoleon Bloomsbury pp 17 ISBN 0 7475 6544 9 Preface to the third edition of Lempriere February 1797 External links editA Classical Dictionary 1822 full text version of the third American edition under this alternate title nbsp This article about a non fiction book on Greek mythology is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bibliotheca Classica amp oldid 1177872155, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
